ABATE of Kansas District 5

Political action organization advocating for the interests of motorcyclists in Kansas. District 5 represents Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami and Linn counties.

2026 January and February Meeting Report for ABATE of KS District 5

Posted on Author beckyPosted in Monthly Meeting Reports, Monthly Meetings

ABATE District 5 Logo

JAN 3, 2026

The January District 5 Meeting took place at noon on Saturday, January 3 rd , 2026, at the Coach Lite Club in Kansas City, Kansas. Tony called the meeting to order, followed by a moment of silence for those lost. He then welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

Reports.

Sergeant at Arms Report: Kim reported on the numbers of those present at the meeting, both members and non-members. She also introduced the owner and staff of the Coach Lite club and mentioned they had prepared lunch for us to have during the
meeting.

Secretary’s Report: James read over the meeting minutes from the December District 5 Meeting and also pointed out the items to be carried over to the current meeting. There were no questions. Becky made a motion to approve the minutes as read and printed in the newsletter. Tank seconded the motion. All were in favor; no one opposed and the motion carried. The minutes were approved as printed.

Treasurer’s Report: Angela reported she audited the accounts. She went over the numbers and presented them to those present at the meeting. Tank made a motion to approve the report as presented. Dozzle seconded the motion. No one opposed and the motion carried. Angela will get her report sent to the state board as presented and approved by the district.

Membership Report: Tony went over the District 5 membership numbers. As always, if you know of someone who rides, someone who could be interested in what ABATE stands for, talk to them about it. Bring someone to a meeting, or an ABATE event.
Membership sign-ups were passed out to everyone to have with them, that way everyone could have one or two on hand to pull one out and get someone signed up if the opportunity presents itself.

State Report:

  • Meeting under the Rotunda is January 26 th .
  • ABATE will have people all over the capital to speak with representatives, trying to gain support.
  • Electrical upgrades at the Labor Day Rally site need to be done at the old vendor pad (the area now used for RV/camper parking now).
  • Back to our Roots Rally will be the first weekend in June. The event will be out at Old Military Trail and will be motorcycle and tent camping only.
  • The artwork for the Labor Day Rally Shirt (51 st Rally Shirt) design will be selected in April. Get out your pencil, pen, box of crayons, whatever and get your drawing submitted to the State by April. Bring it to a district meeting, we can help get it submitted.

Old/New Business:

  • First and foremost, District 5 would like to thank everyone that
    helped to pull together and hold the December State Meeting and the District 5 End of Year Party that followed. District 5 would also like to thank everyone who attended both events.
  • The topic about The District 5 Motorcycle Awareness Event in May was brought up again. The district has decided to try and team up with another very large event that takes place in May called Guns n’ Hoses. Being it already has such a large turnout for the event, if we could coordinate with the event, and get a booth there, it may benefit better than trying to put on a stand-alone event and try and draw people on our own. There was a person at the meeting that said she has contact who regularly attends the event and may know someone we could speak to about getting this set up. She said she will let us know.
  • Tank brought up the balloon toss event that takes place during the District 5 Bike Games at the Labor Day Rally. He stated the event takes way too long, because the same people just keep taking turn after turn, and their balloon doesn’t break. He suggested a different way of doing the game. Some suggested balloons were the problem. It was decided to wait to change anything about the event until we analyze the problem and try to figure out exactly what it is. The topic was tabled for another time.
  • The annual District 5 Chili Cook-off will take place during the February District 5 Meeting. That will be a fun time. The winner will win a certificate, naming them as the winner. Also, Kim has had an awesome prize made for the winner. It is an apron claiming you won the District 5 Chili Cook-off. Come and enter your best chili into the cook-off. If you don’t want to enter your chili, that is fine; come to the meeting and enjoy other people’s chili they have entered and hang out.

Meetings.

  • The February District 5 Meeting will be at noon on Saturday, February 7 th , 2026, at Hurricane Allie’s – 5541 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 66203. The meeting will also consist of the District 5 Chili Cook-off.
  • The March District 5 Meeting will be held at noon on Saturday, March 7 th , 2026, at Pizza Stop – 7541 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, KS 66109.
  • The April District 5 Meeting will take place at noon on Saturday, April 4 th , 2026, at Beer 30 – 9150 Lexington Ave., De Soto, KS 66018.
  • The May District 5 Meeting will be at noon on Saturday, May 2 nd , 2026, at Hillsdale Tavern (The Tavern) – 102 Central, Hillsdale, KS 66036.
  • The June and July meetings and dates were also then discussed. Tank made a motion for the June Meeting to take place on Sunday, June 14 th , 2026. Jethro seconded the motion. All were in favor, no one opposed and the motion carried. The location is to be determined. Tank made a motion to have the July meeting on Sunday, July 12 th . Dozzle second the motion. All were in favor, no one opposed the motion, and the motion carried.

Tank made a motion to adjourn. Jethro Seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

FEB 7, 2026

The February District 5 Meeting took place at noon on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at Hurricane Allies in Shawnee, Ks. Tony called the meeting to order. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for lost brothers and sisters.

It should be known, this meeting consisted of the District 5 Chili Cook-off. There were numbered pots at the front of the meeting containing contestant’s chili entries.

Reports.

Sergeant at Arms Report: Kim reported on the number of people present at the meeting, both members and non. She then introduced Allie, the owner of Hurricane Allies, as well as Gina, the bartender on duty at the time. All were welcomed at the meeting.

Secretary’s Report: James read over the minutes from the January District 5 Meeting, held on January 3rd, as well as pointing out any items which were tabled to be brought up again at the current meeting. Marty made a motion to approve the report as read and printed in the newsletter. Beth second the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: James read Angela’s report in her absence. The accounts have been audited and updated. The numbers were reported and presented to the district. Beth made a motion to approve the report as read and presented. Tank second the motion, and the motion passed.

Product Line Report: Tony reported on District 5 products. He stated there are numerous “Look Twice” license plates. He stated a few were able to be sold at the Antique Motorcycle Show (as well as getting a couple of sign-ups), but the license plates are pretty much just sitting around with us. It was decided to make better use of the license plates by letting another district try their hand at getting them out there.

It was talked about, in past meetings, if the district was going to donate some of the old product that had been sitting around for a while. Donating the older product would be to make room for new products, with new designs. The decision was tabled until after the Antique Motorcycle Show, and well, that time has come. Some products have already been donated to the Pizza Stop, where our next meeting is to be held. Discussion as to what other events and organizations to donate District 5 Products to was had. Some people have brought up their local American Legion who have riders, and sometimes benefit rides, as well as other such organizations. There will be more discussion on where and who to donate the products to in the next and future meetings. It was decided, at the time of the meeting, to hold off on ordering any new product. The district will be looking into ideas and are also open to suggestions for products.

State/Legislative Report:

  • Tony and Bud attended Bikers Under the Dome in Topeka. They spoke those who specifically represent Johnson, Wyandotte, Linn, and Miami Counties, so that was good conversation and a good use of time for our district representatives. Legislation stops April 1st, so it is good to try and talk to people and get stuff in before then.
  • On Friday, March 6th, 2026, ABATE of Kansas will have a table at Washington Days at Town Site in Topeka, KS. This will be an opportunity for our people with ABATE to speak to our representatives, while allowing them to grab some refreshments and such. Marty made a motion to donate to the cause with ABATE being at the event. Becky second the motion. All were in favor, there was no opposition and the motion was carried.
  • See the State Report in the newsletter for items regarding the state meeting.

Old/New Business:

There was some discussion about the games at both the Back to Our Roots Rally and the Labor Day Rally. Marty stated he was looking more into it and stated there were a total of five couple/team games and three solo games. The team games tend to take up much more time. He stated he’d like to see the balloon toss game to go away and be replaced with something a little quicker, possibly the tire toss as well. Getting rid of the balloon toss would also eliminate the issue with filling and storing the balloons. There were quite a few that were present that seemed to like the idea of getting rid of or replacing at least the balloon toss, if not both, as well. A few replacement ideas were also discussed. Further discussion on the games was tabled for another meeting soon.

District 5 was invited by District 3 to put on the bike games at the Girard Event on the first weekend in May.

Membership slips were handed out. When the opportunity is there, talk ABATE and try to bring in memberships.

The May District 5 Meeting will have to be moved to the second Saturday in May, due to the State Meeting taking place the first Saturday. This will be shown in the list below.

Meetings.

  • The March District 5 Meeting will be held at noon on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at Pizza Stop – 7541 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, KS 66109.
  • The April District 5 Meeting will take place at noon on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, at Beer 30 – 9150 Lexington Ave., De Soto, KS 66018.
  • The May District 5 Meeting will be at noon, Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at Hillsdale Tavern (The Tavern) – 102 Central, Hillsdale, KS 66036.
  • The June Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 14th, 2026, and the July meeting will be Sunday, July 12th, 2026. The location of these two meetings is still to be determined.

The meeting was adjourned for the chili cook-off. Thank you to all who entered chili. Thank you as well to all who came and enjoyed chili and voted. Number 1 in the chili cook-off went to Tank. Number 2 went to James.